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Hugo Ekitike is setting his sights high as his debut campaign with Liverpool continues to flourish. The France international brought his goal tally for the Reds to 10 after netting twice in Saturday's 2-0 triumph over Brighton and Hove Albion at home.
Across 23 outings, only Daniel Sturridge has found the net more frequently (eight goals) in his opening 10 Premier League starts for Liverpool than the 23 year old (seven). Consecutive braces against Leeds United and Brighton have propelled Ekitike up this season's English top-flight goalscoring rankings, with only Erling Haaland and Igor Thiago surpassing his output.
Yet given that Ekitike's standout displays have coincided with the Reds' own difficulties, it has rendered his Anfield debut all the more remarkable. However, he isn't becoming complacent. He remains convinced he can achieve more and aspires to reach the pinnacle.
Far from being content with the campaign thus far, Ekitike harbours hopes that Liverpool can harness their setbacks and transform them into something constructive during the season's latter stages.
"I know what people expect. I have my expectations too," he said. "I'm just working on it to be as good as people expect me to be and I know I'm in a place I was dreaming to be. I've been to so many places and you always have something to reach. I think that's what football is.
"I always think that football makes you tired physically but mentally, if you want to get to the top and do and achieve things, it's always about again and again and again.
"Because if tomorrow I score a brace and I say, 'I'm really good', it stops. Obviously I want to be the best - that's why I'm playing. But I know I have so much work, so many things to improve. But, of course, I want to be the best.
"A striker needs goals to be alive. Sometimes I don't get an assist, I don't get a goal but I know I make a good run for someone and he's gonna score.
"And if I don't do that, nothing is going to happen. If you don't have pressure, if people don't care, that means you're not at the right place. I'm at the right place."
He added: "It's not too easy. We need to struggle with everything we do, and maybe at the end it's even more beautiful to win and achieve something.
"(It was) a great start, a really fast start. And then going back to reality... I tried to keep working for the team.
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"Obviously I'm not happy about all the games I played, I think I could do better. In general I would say that was good, I can improve.
"I know I can bring a lot more to this team, but I'm definitely getting better and I'm sure I'm going to switch to a good season.
"I find it exciting. I'm just happy to be a part of it and obviously I want to be involved, be a big part of it and just help people and give joy.
"Because football, it's also fun. It's fun. People need to come and have fun, watching you and watching your team play. That's what makes me like football."
English (US) ·